
-Slovenian President to pay official visit to Ethiopia
ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia and Slovenia have reaffirmed their commitment to elevate bilateral relations during the third round of political consultations.
The discussions concluded here yesterday with an agreement to strengthen cooperation across key sectors including diplomacy, trade, and investment.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) also announced that Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar will pay a two-day official working visit to Ethiopia aimed at further enhancing diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations.
The consultations were co-chaired by MoFA State Minister Ambassador Abera Hadera and Marko Štucin, Slovenia’s State Secretary for European and Political Affairs, International Law, and Protection of Interests. The talks focused on shared priorities and opportunities for deeper engagement, building on over three decades of diplomatic relations.
This is the third round of political consultations between the two countries, following previous meetings in 2020 and 2024. According to Ambassador Abera, these engagements have significantly advanced bilateral cooperation and laid a strong foundation for future collaboration.
In a press briefing, MoFA spokesperson Ambassador Nebiat Getachew emphasized the growing importance of Ethiopia-Slovenia relations. He noted that President Nataša Pirc Musar’s visit reflects both countries’ determination to expand their partnership.
“The opening of Slovenia’s embassy in Addis Ababa—its third in Africa—underscores Ethiopia’s strategic diplomatic relevance,” said Nebiat. “Slovenia is positioning itself as a key European partner for Ethiopia in trade, development, and diplomacy.”
During the consultations, Marko Štucin highlighted Slovenia’s interest in increasing cooperation, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, beekeeping, investment, and economic development. “Ethiopia is a key diplomatic hub, and Slovenia is eager to build meaningful partnerships that support mutual growth,” he stated.
President Nataša Pirc Musar’s upcoming visit is expected to include high-level meetings with senior Ethiopian officials to explore new areas of collaboration. Her visit follows a recent trip to Ethiopia by Slovenia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister earlier this year, signaling growing engagement between the two nations.
According to Ambassador Nebiat, Slovenia is particularly interested in Ethiopia’s honey production potential, where it hopes to leverage its expertise in beekeeping to foster investment and knowledge exchange. He added that the consultations are expected to attract more Slovenian investors to explore opportunities in Ethiopia’s emerging markets.
Both countries have expressed their shared commitment to strengthening political and economic relations, with Slovenia actively seeking to expand its presence and influence in Africa through strategic partnerships like the one with Ethiopia.
BY HAILE DEMEKE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 5 JUNE 2025